What to do with leftover pumpkins? Instead of throwing them away after Halloween or Thanksgiving, consider using them as supplemental feed for livestock. Pumpkins left in the field after harvest or uncarved jack-o-lanterns from your porch can provide a seasonal treat for cattle, sheep, goats and horses. Before feeding leftover pumpkins to farm animals, remove decorations and check for signs of spoilage.
Key Takeaways
- Leftover pumpkins can supplement livestock feed. Cattle, sheep, goats and horses may eat pumpkins as an occasional treat or feed supplement.
- Contact local pumpkin growers early. Farms and pumpkin patches may have surplus pumpkins available after harvest.
- Prepare pumpkins appropriately. Remove candle wax and other decorations from jack-o-lanterns, and remove stems before feeding pumpkins to horses.
- Check pumpkins before feeding. Discard pumpkins that are moldy, rotten or contaminated rather than relying on animals to sort through damaged produce.
Why Leftover Pumpkins Make Great Livestock Feed
Pumpkins contain high levels of vitamins A and E as well as folate and fiber. Although they are mostly water (roughly 85 percent moisture content), they can make a reasonable supplemental protein source. Many livestock, such as horses, cattle, sheep, and goats, find them palatable. Interestingly, pumpkin seeds—which are not toxic to livestock and humans—contain a compound called cucurbitacin. This compound is present in many plant species and typically functions as an herbivore deterrent because, in large quantities, it has a bitter taste. Anecdotally, there have been reports of cucurbitacin used as a natural dewormer in livestock. This was studied at Delaware State University with promising results, although more investigation is warranted. Likewise, this compound is being studied as an anti-cancer agent.
How to Feed Leftover Pumpkins to Cattle
Cattle will gamely munch pumpkins if put out to graze the growing fields after harvest. Cows have no trouble breaking open pumpkins and consuming the pulp. Sometimes the set-up will be just right, where a pumpkin patch is alongside a harvested cornfield. When grazed at the same time, pumpkin and corn stalks make a convenient diet for late fall and early winter cattle grazing.
Getting Leftover Pumpkins Delivered to Your Farm
With smaller cattle herds as well as sheep and goats, having leftover pumpkins delivered might work for your farm. Some pumpkin patches might have a surplus in late fall, which might also include some soft pumpkins or those with other blemishes. Don’t worry too much about a little mold—these livestock are well-equipped to pick through and be choosy about what they consume. If a pumpkin delivery sounds like it might work for your farm, start contacting local pumpkin growers early in the fall season; don’t wait until after Halloween or Thanksgiving to make that first call.
Can Horses Eat Leftover Pumpkins?
Horses also love the taste of pumpkin and might investigate a whole one if it’s thrown into the pasture. However, hastily consumed stems can be a choking hazard. For a quick and easy way to dispose of your jack-o’-lanterns, simply put the used pumpkin—minus stem (and any candle or wax inside)—into the pasture for an edible toy. For horses with a more refined palate, or those unwilling or unable to crunch through raw pumpkin, you can easily bake a pumpkin to soften it. To do so, simply preheat your oven to 400°F and place the pumpkin (deseeded and with the top removed) in a glass casserole dish. Baking times vary based on the size of the pumpkin. A three-to-six-pound pumpkin usually takes 45 minutes to an hour to become soft. After baking, you can either scrape the pumpkin flesh out and mix it with your horse’s feed or slice the soft pumpkin up and offer pieces to your horse that way. Slicing the pumpkin before baking is also a way to reduce cooking time.
Before You Feed: A Few Pumpkin Precautions
Before feeding leftover pumpkins to livestock, check them for mold, rot or other signs of spoilage. Discard any pumpkins that are moldy, rotten or contaminated rather than relying on animals to pick around damaged areas. Remove candle wax, decorations and other foreign materials from jack-o’-lanterns, and remove stems before offering pumpkins to horses to reduce choking risks. Keep in mind that pumpkin seeds may pass through an animal’s digestive system unharmed. If conditions are right, you might even find yourself with an unexpected pumpkin patch next summer!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you feed leftover pumpkins to livestock?
Yes. Cattle, sheep, goats and horses can eat pumpkin as a supplemental feed or occasional treat. Introduce unfamiliar foods gradually, offer appropriate portions, and make sure the pumpkins are fresh and free of decorations or contaminants.
Can farm animals eat old or moldy pumpkins?
Don’t feed livestock pumpkins that are moldy, rotten or contaminated. Remove spoiled pumpkins from feeding areas, and check pumpkins carefully before offering them to animals.
Where can farmers get leftover pumpkins for livestock?
Contact local pumpkin patches, farm stands and growers before the end of the fall season. Some may have surplus pumpkins after harvest, but availability varies. Arrange pickup or delivery and confirm that the pumpkins are suitable for animal feed.
Can horses eat jack-o-lanterns?
Horses can eat plain pumpkin flesh, but remove the stem, candles, wax and any other decorations first. Avoid pumpkins that have been painted, treated or contaminated, and introduce pumpkin gradually as a treat rather than a replacement for regular feed.
Feeding Livestock Leftover Pumpkins: Final Thoughts
Using leftover pumpkins as livestock feed can help farms reduce seasonal waste while providing animals with an occasional treat. Contact local growers early, check pumpkins for spoilage, and prepare them safely before feeding. With a little planning, surplus pumpkins can serve a useful purpose long after fall harvest.
This article about what to do with leftover pumpkins was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.
